Fun times in Ballina for Australia Day

Family fun, including a kids fishing competition with over $1000 worth of prizes, will be the focus of a full weekend of Australia Day celebrations hosted by the Ballina RSL Club.

Children aged five to 16 are invited to register for Ballinas 2007 Australia Day Kids Fishing Competiton, running from 12.30pm till 4pm, costing $2 to participate.

Major prizes up for grabs include fishing rods, reels and tackle box, inflatable kayak and paddle, snorkel set and fishing chair.

The first three place-getters in the five to nine years age group and the first three place-getters in the 10 to 16 years age group will receive prizes, with all entries getting a gift bag.

A special prize will be awarded for the highest number of species caught and all prizes will be presented in the Riverside Lounge at the Ballina RSL Club from 5pm on Australia Day.

Participants can register for the competition on the day at the Ballina RSL Club between noon and 1.30pm or by downloading an entry form from www.ballinarsl.com.au, completing it and bringing it on the day with the $2 entry fee to sign up.

All children must be accompanied by an adult during the competition, abide by fishing rules and regulations and possess a current fishing licence.

All fish caught must be weighed-in live (for catch and release conditions) and fishing is permitted anywhere in the lower section of the Richmond River from Burnes Point Ferry to the North Wall Bar. Weigh-in closes at 4.15pm.

The clubs Australia Day activities kick off at 10am with bingo games and a free morning tea, including good old Aussie lamingtons.

Indoor family entertainment will be provided from 2pm at the Riverside Lounge with a range of activities including face painting, colouring-in competitions and clowns.

At lunchtime (from noon) and dinner time (from 6pm) the club is putting on Australia Day-themed meals at its Waves Bistro and Char Grill, including barramundi fillets and kangaroo steaks for $18.90. There will also be fishnchips on Friday at lunchtime $6 (members ) and $7.50 (non members)

At 8.30pm, a fireworks spectacular will light up the skies around the club and riverside while at 9.15pm a free concert by well-known performer Lisa Hunt in the clubs Riverside Lounge is set to pack them in.

On Sunday at 8am, the club is hosting Jazz and Big Buffet Brekky on the Wharf (adults $9.90, kids $5.50) and at 11am, a free Silly Billies Childrens Concert (maximum of four tickets per family, book at the club bottle shop).

The clubs weekend activities close on Sunday night with a performance by comedian Jimeoin starting at 8pm (tickets $34).